Donald Trump is a business ‘killer’ who ‘never plays by the rules’, say Chinese exporters after tariff threat
- US$200 billion of Chinese imports into the United States set to be subject to new 25 per cent tariffs from Friday
- Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He still expected to be part of the delegation set to arrive in Washington on Thursday for talks
US President Donald Trump is a business “killer” who “never plays by the rules”, according to China’s manufacturers who have been left reeling by the news that tariffs will be increased from 10 per cent to 25 per cent on US$200 billion of Chinese imports into the United States.
“Those manufacturers who mainly sell to Europe and the United States need to start taking pain killers again,” said exporter Liao Yu, who produces bags and suitcases in Dongguan.
“The cost of relocation is very high for small factories of our kind. But if you don’t move, how do you digest the tariffs? A 25 per cent [tariff] will kill everyone. Meanwhile, European and American customers are now using more suppliers in Southeast Asia to replace us. Trump is just a killer.”
Another US$325 billion of Chinese imports, which are currently not subject to trade war tariffs, are also under threat, with Trump citing the apparent slow progress of the trade talks for the somewhat surprise move to increase the tariffs which had been suspended altogether since December after the US president met with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Argentina.